Podium Magazine Issue 2 | Spring 2022

https://wwwcssc.co.uk/PODIUM Issue 2 – Spring 2022

ACTIVE WELLBEING 22 | FUNDING | WALKING | MARATHON | FOOTBALL | OUTDOOR GUIDE MENOPAUSE YOGA | MERLIN BLACKPOOL | CSSC GAMES | INCLUSIVE SPORTS | FORAGING YOUTH HOSTELS | OS MAPS | WATER SPORTS | VOLUNTEERING | VEGANISM | COMPETITION

IN THIS ISSUE

Contributors

Kaye McIntosh is a freelance health writer and the former editor of Health Which?, Pregnancy & Birth and WI Life. She’s also the daughter of a retired civil servant from the Government Information Service.

Adrian Monti is a father of two who lives in Brighton. An experienced journalist, he writes regularly for national newspapers including the Daily Mail, Daily Mirror and Daily Express. He is a keen runner, who contributes regularly to Runner’s World and writes content for health and fitness websites.

Judy Yorke has been a journalist for more than 30 years. She is a journalism tutor and also trains non-journalists to improve their writing at work. Married with two teenage sons, her hobbies include baking, football and playing Words with Friends.

Sally J. Hall is a journalist who has written on health and parenting issues for many years. She is the author of three books including Plant Based Baby, a guide to weaning your baby onto a vegan diet, and she has a Diploma in Vegan Nutrition.

Contents

5 Small steps, big rewards with Active Wellbeing 2022 A week of wellbeing, and this is just the beginning 7 Encouraging excellence Two CSSC members tell us how

they’ve benefitted from CSSC’s elite funding schemes

10 Walking back to happiness Walking has many physical and

mental health benefits. So, lace up your shoes!

12 Not the Paralympics Disability isn’t just about wheelchairs.

How do you combine disability with activity?

15 It’s a funny old game The Civil Service Football Club has a

long and very honourable history 18 Go outside CSSC is a proud sponsor of the Waterproof and Wellies project in association with The Outdoor Guide 19 Navigating the menopause One woman has made it her

mission to help others as they negotiate the change of life 22 Explore the magic of Merlin this summer Get away to

Blackpool – just one of the opportunities on offer this year 25 Win an epic family adventure to one of Merlin’s brilliant

Blackpool attractions We’re giving away tickets for a very special family day out 26 The CSSC Games 2022 Join us at Loughborough University,

15-16 September 2022 28 Can you run a marathon? Yes you can! Most of us think it’s

completely beyond us, but a marathon is worth considering 32 Dining out with a difference Fancy a go at foraging? We

point out some of the meals hidden in our hedgerows 36 My tenpin bowling qualifier Yes, you really can qualify in a

new competitive sport 37 Youth hostels revisited They’re not just for youth, and they’re

more than just hostels

Podium editor Richard Hemley Art editor Mark Richardson Commissioning editor Radhika Holmström Copy editor Cordelia Lilly Publisher Gaynor Garton Published by Square7 Media Ltd., 3 More London, London SE1 2RE hello@square7media.co.uk Advertising sales Ethan Hall: ethan@square7media.co.uk CSSC BOARD 2021-2022 Chair Mark Fisher Vice Chairs Elaine Benn, Ian Campbell, Stuart Fraser Honorary Treasurer: Lisa Ong Elected members David Abbott, Alan Adams, Janis Cammell, Phil Corcoran, Rona Duncan, Davie Elder, Sam Guilding, Naomi Hickey, Michael Mainon, Sue Pither, Francis Smith, David Wells Chief Executive Matt Bazeley CSSC OFFICE Compton Court, 20-24 Temple End, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP13 5DR.

40 The world on two wheels Travelling by bike allows you to

discover much more than on an ordinary holiday 43 Messing about on the water With summer on the way, what

better time to explore off-land adventures?

46 Feel the benefits of volunteering Volunteers are the beating heart of CSSC, making everything we do possible 48 Virgin vegan Going vegan the easy way – complete with

recipes for you to try

PODIUM ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2022 | cssc.co.uk/PODIUM

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FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to Podium

Hello and welcome to the spring issue of Podium.

We hope to share Podium with you twice a year: in spring to

capture all the exciting new activities and events coming up over the summer, and in autumn to highlight all the wonderful opportunities CSSC membership can provide throughout the rest of the year.

And it’s no coincidence that we come to you this week, as the UK

officially enters the first day of spring. Traditionally this is a time for

Richard Hemley

much celebration and excitement for the year ahead. But this year, as in recent years, the arrival of March brings with it even more renewed

Walk on by page 10

hope and a much greater optimism for the warmer months ahead.

Already, with the lifting of restrictions, the return of much-

deserved and hugely needed freedoms is providing a welcome relief and respite, unquestionably raising the nation’s spirit, in time for a

glorious spring and sensational summer. Let’s hope the weather gets the memo and complies with our request.

And in keeping with this spirit, this issue is all about looking

forward to more prosperous times ahead, and I’m delighted to be able to share with you some exciting news about CSSC this year,

4

Life changes page 19

as we continue to celebrate our 100th birthday. This September

we will be returning to Loughborough University to host our highly

anticipated CSSC Games. Restrictions permitting, we hope to make these Games the most engaging, the most diverse and the most

inclusive we’ve ever staged – with some exciting new elements to really get your pulses racing. Applications are already open, and

spaces are limited, so if you’d like to take part, either as a team or as a solo competitor, go to page 26 to find out how to register.

Out and about page 32

As always, we hope you enjoy reading the special features of this

issue. But like any magazine, there’s only so much we can share with you, so if you’re left wanting more, I urge you to explore the CSSC

https://wwwcssc.co.uk/PODIUM Issue 2 – Spring 2022

ACTIVE WELLBEING 22 | FUNDING | WALKING | MARATHON | FOOTBALL | OUTDOOR GUIDE MENOPAUSE YOGA | MERLIN BLACKPOOL | CSSC GAMES | INCLUSIVE SPORTS | FORAGING YOUTH HOSTELS | OS MAPS | WATER SPORTS | VOLUNTEERING | VEGANISM | COMPETITION

website for all the latest offers, products and partners, to help you

maximise your free time, doing more of the things you love, with the people you love.

In the kitchen page 48

Editor – Richard Hemley

1 Cover Outdoors Final.indd 1

23/02/2022 16:56

We hope you enjoy

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https://www.instagram.com/cssc_official/ @cssc_official

https://www.facebook.com/CSSCOfficial CSSCOfficial

www.cssc.co.uk

this membership magazine. However, If you prefer not to receive future copies, you can opt out of receiving Podium by post or digitally, by emailing editor@ cssc.co.uk or by calling 01494 888444.

SUSTAINABILITY Podium is 100% recyclable. The pulp used is bleached without the use of chlorine and is from a mill using an environmental management system approved according to ISO 14001 and EMAS. The polywrap in which Podium is posted is 100% biodegradable. ©2022 The views expressed in Podium are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor, CSSC or printer, and none of these parties guarantees the accuracy of content. Furthermore, publication of advertisements does not imply any form of recommendation. Podium accepts no responsibility for any statements in advertisements. Each advertisement is inserted on the distinct understanding that no advantage will accrue to the advertiser in relation to its business dealings with Podium.

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PODIUM ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2022 | cssc.co.uk/PODIUM

ACTIVE WELLBEING

Small steps, big rewards with Active Wellbeing 2022

A week of wellbeing, and it’s just the beginning A brilliant opportunity to get active, have fun and try something new

On 17 January, Active Wellbeing 22 (AW22) kicked off for a whole week of fun and entertainment to help and support the Civil Service and public sector get more active, try something new and have some fun.

Hosted in collaboration with Civil Service HR in the cabinet office, the annual Active Wellbeing pledging initiative is a brilliant opportunity for all civil servants

“I pledge to go for a walk every day with my family”

10,000 Over

PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK

visitors to the AW22 website

The most popular pledge encouraged people to get active outdoors more

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and public sector colleagues to take that allimportant first step and commit to increasing their activity with the help of fully inclusive seminars, tools, resources and inspiration. Active Wellbeing helps everyone to move more, and offers a unique chance to improve work-life balance, have fun with friends and colleagues and win some awesome prizes, just for taking part.

Small steps gain big rewards

With the difficulty and uncertainty of the last few years, the fun and engagement that Active Wellbeing always delivers has been hotly anticipated and much needed. And this year, AW22 has really delivered on its promise.

Far exceeding our already high expectations,

60

7,000

digital packs downloaded

pledges made throughout AW22

Over

departments got involved

Over

badges won

1,200 3,600

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ACTIVE WELLBEING

Sue tried Clubbercise, HIIT and walking workouts

6

over 3,600 people signed up and pledged to increase their movement (an increase of 39% on previous years). But that’s just the beginning.

Since the very start, Active Wellbeing has enjoyed support from senior leaders of both the Civil Service and the public sector, together with the whole team Jen: “How my Active at CSSC, all encouraging everyone to get involved, Wellbeing Week began” make a pledge to increase their activity, and have some fun.

This year, we’re honoured to receive support from Myrtle Lloyd (Director General of Customer Services Group, HMRC), who pledged to explore the countryside on her bicycle, every week.

She said: “Physical activity can have Everyone’s a huge impact on our health and a winner with wellbeing – by boosting our mood, selfAW22, but some esteem, energy levels, and improving more than others how we sleep. Active Wellbeing 2022 We’ve given away 50 prizes worth offers something for everyone – so over £10,000 in AW22, including FREE take the time to work out what’s right OS Maps subscription to everyone for you, your mind or your body.” who took part. Gift experiences, smart watches, retail vouchers, Just the beginning CSSC memberships and Celebrating AW22 in January was more sports kits. than just a clever opportunity to help people with their New Year’s resolutions. It was a means both to make sure we start the year off the right way and to open the doors for a much healthier and happier 2022. And that’s where you come in.

If you’ve been inspired by either taking part in or reading about Active Wellbeing, why not plan your own wellbeing week with your colleagues? Maybe you’d like to use your free OS Maps subscription to explore some hidden gems.

Whatever you’d like to do, why not get in touch with CSSC at activewellbeing@cssc.co.uk to find out how we might be able to support your activity or event with our tools, tips, experience, resources, equipment or funding.

“30 minutes of fresh air a day boosted my motivation”

Christine - the Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing

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Eliza: “Another great beach walk today with AW22”

ELITE FUNDING

Encouraging excellence

Two CSSC members tell us how they’ve benefitted from CSSC’s elite funding schemes

Eugene Chang

Taking part in sport can be an expensive hobby. But taking your sport to the next level can be even more daunting. Which is why loads of members have found CSSC’s financial support can give them a massive boost of energy, confidence and funds, just when they need them.

We caught up with two members who were thrilled to have CSSC on their side.

Croquet with Eugene Chang

I first tried croquet in someone’s back garden when I was 14, enjoyed it and found my local croquet club a few weeks later. The members were welcoming and gave me lots of support as I developed as a player, and the club lent me a good mallet, which helped me improve faster.

I started winning local and regional handicap competitions very early on (there is an automatic handicapping system similar to golf, which favours those who improve faster than the system can track), which, as someone who struggled with mainstream sports at school, gave me a real confidence boost and kept me playing the sport.

Being a younger player, I was also invited to join coaching weekends led by top players, which also accelerated my development and raised my aspirations.

Croquet is a sport of skill and strategy rather than brute strength and fast reactions – men and women play it on equal terms, and it’s also very inclusive for older or less able-bodied people. To succeed, you have to out-think your opponent, while also trusting your own ability under pressure (top-tier croquet is all about sports psychology).

Despite the ‘posh’ and Alice in Wonderland stereotypes, it is very affordable and played by those from all walks of life. Plus, you can continue playing into your 90s, long after you hang up your boots/ rackets/bats in other sports! I’d recommend it to anyone, whatever level you’ve played sport at before

and whatever sport you like to watch or play. The Croquet Association (www.croquet.org.uk), which is the national governing body for the sport in England, has a great many resources including official rules and shortened versions to play at home. It also sells croquet equipment. And of course you could use CSSC savings to buy your equipment, especially your first set while you find your skill level.

Joining a club will really bring your skills on much quicker and further than playing in the back garden, and the members are all very friendly and welcoming, so you’ll meet loads of like-minded friends who enjoy the social side every bit as much as the sport side. Everyone loves a new audience member to share their tales and top tips with, so you’ll pick up new skills, even by just watching some of the others.

As you progress, the competitive croquet circuit is fun, and the sport’s volunteer-driven culture means that tournament food and drink is always delicious yet inexpensive. Plus, croquet etiquette dictates that game winners offer to buy the losers a drink – so both sides finish the game happy.

However, funding’s limited at that level so CSSC has been a massive help. Top-tier international events typically last seven to nine days, rotated between the four major croquet nations – England, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Because these countries are so geographically spread out, travel and accommodation can always hold some competitors back. I was delighted to receive an elite competitor award of £200 towards my participation in the 2020 Association Croquet World Championship in Melbourne, Australia, just before the Covid-19 pandemic. I was able to use this money to help fund my entry fees and travel arrangements.

Having just started a family, I won’t be able to travel as much internationally for croquet in future.

However, I will look to improve my ranking through entering major domestic events such as open

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ELITE FUNDING

and regional championships – perhaps with my daughter courtside to support me! I’d love to break into the world’s top 50 (I’m currently around 85 to 90), so there’s lots of room to grow and improve.

Lacrosse with James Lloyd

8

I started playing lacrosse in 2013 at Bangor University.

I went to the sports and society fair and signed up to a sport I’d only ever seen in films. I’d been playing football all my life from a very young age, and as part of seeking new challenges when I attended university, I decided to take up lacrosse as a hobby to fit in with my university life and studies.

At the first training session I attended, I couldn’t catch or throw the ball, yet I was stopping the ball with my legs and chest. I was given the position of goalkeeper; we played Chester in my first ever game and we emerged as winners (19 to 4). I was given man of the match, and from then on, I knew this was a sport I was going to really enjoy playing and being a part of.

After two years playing for Bangor, I joined Ruthin while living in Wales, until moving back home and eventually joining Cheltenham Lacrosse Club and gaining a spot in the Wales National Senior Men’s team.

Lacrosse has a very friendly atmosphere with a hugely positive vibe from beginner level to seasoned veterans. Most players start while at university and can relate to complete beginners, so they’re very accommodating with giving excellent advice and tips.

The social side of the game is also great, especially the many post-game events, even at club level. What I learned quickly about lacrosse is that when you join a club, you’re likely going to play alongside or against alumni, where you meet and make friends for life.

Because the sport is relatively small in recognition terms it has a really good, friendly atmosphere, where people are not playing only to be competitive but to just have a lot of fun as well. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a complete beginner or have a lot of experience, there is always a place for you in lacrosse. Some clubs even offer a walking variety for less mobile or older players.

As soon as you can throw and catch, which can literally take a matter of a few weeks, you’ll enjoy every moment of training, games and social events, just as I have in my nine years of being part of this amazing sport.

CSSC has also been very supportive. The Cheltenham Lacrosse Club partnered with the Cotswold Area Civil Service Sports Association

(CACSSA) to play and train in their facilities. The low cost and value is very appealing for the club, and included with membership and discounted club membership fees. You also get great deals on products and free entry to outlets and events.

Then, when I decided it was time to progress to the next level and try for a spot on the Wales National Lacrosse Team, I saw that CSSC had an elite-level funding programme, through which it can provide funds for your preparation and participation to compete at an elite level.

After a quick and simple application process, I was awarded funding which helped me with accommodation, equipment and gym membership, so I could prepare to compete at the Home Internationals in 2019. Wales managed to defeat Scotland and England to be crowned champions. I’ve been very appreciative of the support that I’ve been given through the funding programme, and without this I would have found it very difficult to attend the event.

I’m currently back from a long spell out through injury to begin trialling again at an elite level, and I’m aiming to be selected to compete in the Nick Kehoe International tournament in Wilmslow. This is where UK regional teams, national teams, English, Scottish and Welsh university elite squads come to compete for the trophy. I’m also coaching goalkeeping in the Wales Women’s Lacrosse Academy to help develop and grow their future players.

James Lloyd in action

I’ve been very

appreciative of the

support that I’ve been given through the

funding programme

n Whether you’re training to represent your country at an elite or

masters level, you’d like a little help getting to events, or you have aspirations to become a football coach or cricket umpire, CSSC’s financial support can help you realise your dreams and get you to where you want to be much quicker. n Check out our subsidy schemes and activity funds at www.cssc.co.uk/financial-support to see how CSSC could help you achieve your ambitions.

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In pursuit of

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Make the right choice with our experts.

STRAPLINE

Walking back to ha You may not think of walking as serious exercise but it has many physical and mental health benefits. So, lace up your shoes!

By Sally J. Hall

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It’s free, almost anyone can take it up, it can be done (almost) anywhere and you don’t need expensive gear. In fact, walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise around and has lots of benefits to body and mind.

In my room

The past couple of years have been hard on most of us, and a combination of working from home and worries over health may mean we’re less willing to head back to a packed, sweaty gym environment.

Solo walking is a great way to stay calm while getting the steps you need. On the other hand, if you’ve felt bereft of human contact, organising friends for a bracing country walk, perhaps with the lure of a pub lunch, is ideal for easing back into society.

Green day

Walking can be a very good way to reset your mind. The act of putting one foot in front of the other and the miles under your belt can help you turn your thoughts away from anxieties – whether it’s work, health, family problems or other stresses.

Getting into green, open spaces has been shown to be good for mental health. In March 2021, New Scientist ran a feature about the benefits of nature to our equilibrium: it quoted University of Chicago psychologist Marc Berman, who said that there is ‘very solid’ evidence that immersing yourself in a green space helps creativity, attention span and thinking. Doctors in Shetland, the feature continues, are prescribing outdoor activities to those suffering from poor mental health and stress, so beach walks,

forest bathing and bird watching now all come on the NHS. Scientists, of course, have tried to put a figure on just how much time in nature is good for you, and a study by the University of Exeter in 2019 came up with the calculation of 120 minutes a week. One thing’s for sure: any amount of time walking is great, and the more, the merrier.

Come together, right now

Walking with a group is a great way to meet old and new friends. Whether you join an organised ramble or meet up with a group of like minds, the social side is as beneficial as the physical. Heading on holiday or a business trip? Look for a guided tour, which can help you discover more about your destination, with a hefty chunk of exercise thrown in. Alternatively, you might like to take this to the next level and join the Ramblers Association (see below), where you can explore footpaths through some of the country’s most beautiful areas.

Groove is in the heart

Walking’s often ideal for people who are not up for running or high-impact sports (though if you’ve got health concerns, do check with your GP first if you’re worried). If you have an existing health condition, you’re boosting your life expectancy by moving about regularly.

Your circulation will thank you if you walk, as it can gently raise your heart rate and keep it raised while you’re going. This helps strengthen your heart and lowers blood pressure. The Harvard School of Public Health has published research showing that women who walk just half an hour a day could reduce their risk of stroke by 20 per cent (and by 40 per cent if they increased their speed).

If you’ve been ill, walking is great for improving your health without strain. Exercise releases endorphins, which act as a mood enhancer and a natural painkiller, so gentle walks can help improve a painful condition and your mood without need for tablets. Walking briskly burns an amazing 400

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WALK ON BY

ppiness

calories per hour – which makes it ideal for staying in shape after lockdown.

Walking is low-impact, so those with problem hips or knees will benefit. It improves muscle tone for feet, legs and abdomen and even your arms. You’ll find you can breathe more deeply as your lung capacity increases, along with your stamina. This helps increase the levels of oxygen in your bloodstream, aiding your body to eliminate toxins and waste products and in turn helping with joint mobility, as oxygen flows into the joints as you walk. Sleep is better if we exercise regularly too, and studies have shown that those who walk for one hour each morning have improved sleep patterns.

Forever young

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

It’s the ideal exercise as you age. Research has shown that people who exercise regularly in their 50s and 60s are much more likely to thrive than their more sedentary counterparts. Men aged 71 to 93 who walked more than a quarter of a mile a day, according to a study by the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, had half the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease compared with their non-walking counterparts.

Similarly, a study by the University of California, San Francisco, of 6,000 women over 65 who walked 2.5 miles per day discovered that memory decline as people aged was less marked in those who walked more. What’s more, walking helps prevent osteoporosis (lowering of bone density) and will help you avoid breaks if you fall.

Finally, Captain Tom – who walked 100 lengths of his garden to raise money for the NHS at 99 – shows that you can carry on almost indefinitely.

Don’t stop the music

Add some benefits into your walk: it’s the ideal time to listen to music or an educational or inspirational podcast from CSSC life. Alternatively, just listening to nature is calming. A note of caution: do be careful of your personal safety and beware of traffic if you’re using earbuds.

Make savings with our partners n Ramblers UK Thinking about taking your love of walking to the next level? Join an organised walk with the Ramblers Association. They offer organised group walks along 49,000 miles of UK paths in the most stunning scenery, from mountaintop hikes to canal-side strolls. Their Walking for Health site supports those living with health conditions. n Ordnance Survey Planning your walk is simple with

are offered by this company. Walks

the support of the iconic map-

can be combined with cycling and

makers. Whether you like an old-

even boat tours to get to places a

school paper version or something

bit off the beaten track. You can

to download, they have a plethora

even join a group holiday.

of maps plus a series of City Walks

n Strava

and Short Walks booklets.

Download to your phone to plot

n Walkers Britain

your routes and link your device or

Affordable self-guided walking

smartwatch to CSSC life to track

holidays across the UK and Europe

your steps.

Walk this way

Try to see walking not as a chore but as something pleasurable that you relish; trust us, before long, you’ll be plotting walking routes to places you previously visited by car or bus. There are many ways to add miles: getting off the train a stop early; taking a walking route to work, school or the shops; or taking a circular walk during your lunch hour.

These boots were made for walking

Footwear is important. While any comfortable shoes will do, you may want to choose a new pair that will leave your feet feeling great even after a long day’s ramble. You might also want something you can wear with ‘ordinary’ clothes, so choose something that fits your style. Use as much care choosing your shoes for walking as you would for running.

Don’t forget to check cssc.co.uk/our-communities and our Facebook community to see if people near you are organising walks or tours – it’s a great way to meet others and do something different!

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Not the Paralympics Disability isn’t just about wheelchairs. And it’s a lot more common than many people assume. How do you combine disability with activity? By Kaye McIntosh For 20 years, I didn’t define myself as disabled.

Sure, I developed epilepsy as an adult but it was (mostly) controlled by meds. I didn’t want to tell anyone at work – out of embarrassment and fear of being stigmatised. Then one day I stood up from my desk and swayed. That led to a new diagnosis: osteoarthritis. The walking stick made it undeniably obvious that I was, indeed, disabled.

I’m far from alone. Nearly 20 per cent of workingage adults are disabled, and the numbers increase as we grow older: up to 15 per cent in their 20s, rising to 24 per cent of women aged 40 to 50. It’s not just about wheelchairs. Chronic conditions such as diabetes are recognised as disabling if they have a substantial, long-term effect on your ability to do normal daily activities – including exercise. In my case yoga became impossible and walking was difficult. In fact 42 per cent of disabled adults are classed as inactive, which is twice as many as nondisabled people.

Mark Fosbrook

Keep moving if you can

Yet if we can exercise, it’s very good for us. “Often people are worried that activity might make their impairment or condition worse. But exercise is beneficial to everybody, as long as it’s shaped in a way that’s suitable for you,” says Mark Fosbrook, who is a strategic partnership advisor for Activity Alliance, a charity supporting disabled people’s participation in sport. “There’s the physical benefit of improving your range of movement, your flexibility, strength, and your ability to do day-to-day tasks, as well as the social interaction.”

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The inside story: sprinting with painful joints

PHOTOGRAPHS: XXXXXXXXXXX/SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

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INCLUSIVE SPORTS

13

There are three key barriers to disabled people getting active: physical, logistical and psychological Mark is a Paralympian in volleyball and was in the European Championship-winning team in wheelchair basketball. But you certainly don’t have to be an elite athlete. “People assume that if you have a disability and play sport you want to be a Paralympian. That’s not the case. Everyone can enjoy sport,” he points out.

Activity Alliance’s research shows there are three key barriers to disabled people getting active: physical, logistical and psychological. And the psychological barriers are most acute. “It can be the way you’ve been treated in the past: a negative experience at school or you’ve gone to a leisure centre and been made to feel like a burden. Or just your own belief about what you can and can’t achieve,” Mark explains. A gym accredited by the Alliance’s Inclusive Fitness Initiative will be accessible (not just in providing wheelchair ramps, but in

It’s important to keep active

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INCLUSIVE SPORTS

the whole approach and way it works). And people usually know what they need, Mark explains. “Often coaches worry they haven’t done disability-specific training. But the individual is the best person to talk to to understand what they can and can’t do.”

Doing what you can

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Liz Grover, a doula (who supports women giving birth) from Hertfordshire, prefers outdoor exercise. She doesn’t think of herself as disabled but as “having difficulties”. She took up running as a teenager, but in her 40s, sepsis (blood poisoning) and a cardiac arrest put her in intensive care. “Because I nearly died I just thought ‘well, I’ll do what I want now’.” A hip replacement, because of what she describes as “crippling arthritis”, makes her even more determined.

“I’m very aware that my prosthetic hip wasn’t meant to run so much. I’m on borrowed time, so I’m going to do what I can, while I can,” adds Liz, from St Albans.

Her advice if you’ve had to stop exercising because of a disabling condition is to contact the organisations that specialise in that condition, because they’ll know just what it’s like. In her case learning from a sepsis charity that it can take a full year to recover properly was extremely reassuring, and indeed it gave Liz the confidence to keep going knowing that she would get there in the end. Joining a running group gives her much more than fitness, too. “On a run I’m looking at the trees, seeing them change colour and taking in the smell.

It’s a sensory experience.”

Mitchell Camp trains weekly in long jump and

Liz Grover

Information and support n Don’t let a disability or financial hardship hold you back from taking part in sport. Apply for funding with CSSC sponsorship (lwww.cssc. co.uk/sponsorship) n CSSC has loads of opportunities to get involved in fully inclusive sports: Para Dance UK, archery, bowls, snooker, pool, swimming, darts, walking football and many more. n The Civil Service Disability Network can point you to advice and information (civilservice.blog.gov.uk/civil-service-disabilitynetwork/). n The largest government departments and agencies are signed up to the Disability Confident employer scheme to remove workplace barriers (www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confidentcampaign). n Find accessible gyms via the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (www.activityalliance.org.uk/how-we-help/programmes/65inclusive-fitness-initiative). n Parasport links to different local clubs offering a range of activities near you (www.parasport.org.uk). n The Special Olympics runs groups across the UK for people with learning and/or physical disabilities (www.specialolympics.org).

running with his local Special Olympics group (for athletes with learning disabilities). Mitchell, a shop assistant, has Apert syndrome, which also means that his hands and feet are twisted. “Sport hurts me physically at times, but I’ve always pushed my body as far as I can.” It’s made other differences in his life too, including new friends after being bullied at school. “The Special Olympics has changed my life off the field. It’s given me opportunities to develop my confidence and self-esteem.”

Paul Turner agrees. Paul’s a qualified coach in wheelchair basketball and plays for Calderdale, West Yorkshire. After being left out of sport at school, it was a chance meeting with a player rattling a collection tin in a supermarket that introduced him to the sport. Something as simple as sharing cars on long trips to away games as far away as Scotland can build friendships, he says. Then there’s the match itself. “You are playing as a team, not an individual.

Constantly pushing yourself, and not stopping and starting like some other para sports.”

It’s pleasing to defy expectations. “People look at me and think ‘he’s not that strong’, but grab hold, and you’ll feel those muscles!”

As for me, I’m enjoying Pilates – even if I’m not exactly top of the class – and hope it will improve my strength and balance so I can move on to other things. I even dream of trying weightlifting. Maybe I’ll even end up a sports enthusiast – for the first time since being picked last in school PE lessons!

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FOOTBALL

It’s a funny old game The Civil Service Football Club has a long and very honourable history

Not many UK teams can boast of having played football against Barcelona, Real Madrid and SK Slavia Prague. And even fewer are recognised as having honorary life membership of those other teams.

However, the Civil Service Football Club (CSFC) can proudly say that it does. In fact the CSFC has been at the centre of setting the rules of the ‘beautiful game’ since soccer first became an official sport in the UK.

PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK

A proud association

On 26 October 1863 George Twizell Wawn, a clerk third class at the War Office and a defender for the CSFC, represented the club at a meeting in the upstairs dining room of the Freemasons’ Tavern in Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, London.

At that meeting, agreement was reached to produce a set of laws for what was henceforth to be known as association football and to create a body – the Football Association (FA) to oversee the development

of both the laws and the game overall. Of the original 11 clubs at that meeting and those that remained committed in the coming months, only the CSFC survives today as an association football club.

Eight years later, in 1871, the FA Challenge Cup was conceived at a meeting in the Sportsman newspaper offices just off Ludgate Hill near Fleet Street in London. Six members of the FA Committee, including John Gifford of the CSFC, decided to include a new competition open to all members in the UK. Later that year the FA Challenge Cup competition was born, and Gifford was heavily involved in formulating the rules. The CSFC played in the very first round ever, but while Barnes beat the CSFC 2-0, the real winner that day was the game of football.

The CSFC went on to provide both umpires (as they were then known) for the first FA Cup final in 1872; and in fact the third official, the referee Alfred Stair, was coincidentally another civil servant. The

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STRAPLINE

16

club also took part in the tournament until 1951; in 1902 it reached the divisional final, eventually losing to professional team Luton, and the following year it reached the third round before going out to Fulham, also a professional team.

Safeguarding amateur players

By the early 20th century the development of both professional and amateur clubs was gathering pace, along with the move to mix professional and amateur players in the same teams. In 1905 the CSFC was among the small number of clubs forming the Isthmian League, and two years later it was a founder member of the Amateur FA (AFA) and of the Southern

Amateur League (in which it still plays today).

The CSFC was also one of the leading members of the FA to insist that the FA’s move to include professional clubs should not go ahead unless the position of amateur football was safeguarded.

This dispute was finally resolved in 1913, following a resolution by the CSFC urging the AFA to end its split from the FA. As part of the settlement, the AFA accepted affiliation to the Football Association.

At home and abroad

In that first quarter of the 20th century, the CSFC did more than pretty well any other organisation (other than perhaps the former Corinthians side) to

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FOOTBALL

The Civil Service Football Team prepare for the FA Generation Cup

that FC Barcelona offered it a five-year contract.

Incredible though it must seem today, the CSFC did not accept this, but it did accept a pressing invitation for the following year; and in 1922 it played three games in Barcelona (playing FC Barcelona twice), before going on to Madrid (playing Real Madrid twice) and then finishing with three games in Lisbon (playing Benfica and Sporting Lisbon).

By 1926 the professional clubs were regularly playing on the continent, and those pioneering days came to an end. The CSFC still tours today and values the friendships gained on these more recent tours as highly as those from the early days.

Today the club fields 10 teams, a veterans’ team and a women’s team, and it plays its home games at Chiswick at the former Civil Service headquarters’ sports ground.

Over a century of taking part in the ‘beautiful game’

Above: Civil Service FC

PHOTOGRAPHS: CSSC

1893

support the spread of association football across Europe. From 1901 (the year of its first continental tour as well as its victory in the London Senior Cup) the club undertook continental tours each year, sometimes twice a year – initially to Bohemia and later to the west, with tours to France, Spain and Portugal; typically it would take on the best teams in each country. These tours were so successful and the standing of the club so high that two of its opponents (Slavia Prague in 1919 and Real Madrid in 1922) granted the CSFC honorary life membership – an honour granted to no other amateur UK football club.

In 1921 the CSFC was invited to play a series of four games in Barcelona and performed so successfully

Opportunities for everyone

New members are always welcome to join our male and female teams, as we look to progress and build on our rich and proud history. If you’d like to join the CSFC, whether to play, cheer on your colleagues or perhaps just become part of a vibrant and welcoming commuity, please get in touch at: csfcrecruitment@gmail.com or civilservicefc.com or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram n Football is a great way to get involved in teamwork, stay active, make contacts across the country, and have fun. We offer hundreds of different ways in which you can get involved in football: from Premier League stadium tours; tickets to professional fixtures and regional qualifiers; walking football matches; and funding to gain coaching or refereeing qualifications and accreditations. n Five-a-side football is a fantastic way to keep playing and making friends after work. What’s more, it doesn’t take up whole weekends so won’t interrupt your family time. If you’d like advice or funding to help set up a local five-a-side tournament, get in touch and we’ll be there for you.

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WATERPROOFS AND WELLIES

Go outside

Waterproofs and Wellies in action

CSSC is a proud sponsor of the Waterproof and Wellies project in association with The Outdoor Guide The Outdoor Guide (TOG) is an online resource set up by Julia Bradbury and her sister, Gina, to bring together information about walks around the UK. Inspired by the country’s love of walking and powered by Ordnance Survey, TOG creates inspiring routes for complete beginners and experienced hikers alike along with an ever-growing collection of accessible routes suitable for wheelchair users and families with buggies. It also gives advice on the best places to stay, eat and drink, plus expert tips on the best walking gear to buy.

You’ll find the TOG site (theoutdoorguide.co.uk) is easy to navigate and has many great features for all the family.

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Out and about with

PHOTOGRAPHS: THE OUTDOOR GUIDE FOUNDATION, DAVID VENNI

sisters Gina and Julia

Waterproof and Wellies project with CBeebies presenter Gemma Hunt

Waterproofs and Wellies

In 2021, through its foundation arm, The Outdoor Guide set up the Waterproof and Wellies project with the aim of lowering the barriers to getting kids out and about, and encouraging and inspiring children to enjoy the outdoors for the benefit of their physical and mental health.

Learning outside the classroom is about getting children outside and providing them with challenging, exciting and different experiences to help them learn.

The foundation aims to donate 10 waterproof and welly kits to every primary school in the UK within the next six years. The kits will ensure that all primary school children across the UK, regardless of their background, will have the same opportunities to get outdoors.

CSSC is excited to be involved in this important initiative and is proud to announce that it has donated 100 sets to 10 primary schools as part of the wider campaign with The Outdoor Guide Foundation.

So far the foundation has raised more than £30,000. As CSSC members you can get involved by donating at: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ waterproofsandwelliesforprimaryschools.

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LIFE CHANGES

Navigating the menopause One woman has made it her mission to help others struggling with their wellbeing as they negotiate the change of life. We speak to Petra Coveney, founder of Menopause Yoga… By Sally J. Hall

So how do we tackle this? While we’ve heard a lot recently about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as a remedy for the symptoms of menopause, and while some are turning to herbal remedies, a lot of us feel that we have to just ‘get on with it’. Science does not seem to have caught up with the different needs of women, all of whom experience menopause at different ages and with varying symptoms.

This approach has left many women feeling that they have fallen between the gaps. But are there measures women can take to help ease their path? Can diets, supplements and exercise help improve the experience of menopause? Petra Coveney, creator of the Menopause Yoga (www. menopause-yoga.com) programme, left a busy life in educational charities to train as a yoga teacher in her 40s and created a programme that marries

PHOTOGRAPHS: XXXXXXXXXXX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Petra Coveney

You may be forgiven for thinking that the menopause is everywhere; from a taboo subject that nobody spoke about, we’re suddenly discussing it at work, in Parliament and on social media. And not before time.

Research carried out by The Menopause Charity (www.themenopausecharity.org/menopause) turned up some astonishing statistics. It found that 90 per cent of women experience menopausal symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats; anxiety and increased feelings of stress; mood swings and feeling irritable for no reason; insomnia, leading to daytime fatigue; and the lack of ability to focus. Over 30 per cent described the impact of menopause as significant, and almost 60 per cent of women had taken time off work to cope with menopausal symptoms – some for over eight weeks. One in 10 had symptoms so severe they had to leave their job.

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Western science and Eastern wellbeing in a holistic programme of self-care.

“I created Menopause Yoga (MY) to provide trustworthy information,” says Petra. “I joined the British Menopause Society for health practitioners in order to receive the latest scientific research, and I work with specialist doctors, nutritionists, osteopaths, psychologists and complementary therapists so women receive support for every aspect of their lives.

“One of the most important parts of the workshops is women’s circles,” adds Petra, who says she felt alone and craved the company of other women during her own perimenopause.

“I create safe, supportive spaces where women can have frank discussions about symptoms and solutions. We share stories, tears and a lot of laughter. The menopause was a social taboo for so long, it feels liberating to talk about it.”

The science

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Menopause Yoga uses specially adapted yoga poses, blended with specific breathing techniques and meditation.

And there’s good evidence to support it.

In 2015 the Wake Forest School of Medicine in the US published a pilot study looking at the effects of yoga on menopause symptoms, specifically hot flushes. The study followed women in perimenopause (defined as women who had had no periods for two to 12 months) and postmenopausal women between 45 and 58 years old, who reported at least four daily flushes.

The women were assigned to one of three groups – some taking yoga classes, some a health education class, and a control group with no interventions.

The results for the groups doing yoga and the classes were about the same, suggesting that both yoga and health interventions can be effective for reducing menopausal symptoms. Another systematic review led by teams in Korea and Vietnam found that exercise was associated with improved outcomes during menopause.

Putting it into practice

So how might a typical session play out?

“We start the course with the participants in a circle and we discuss the thoughts, feelings and physical effects women are experiencing,” says Petra.

“This is followed by a doctor discussing the biological

Research has shown that yoga can help reduce symptoms

impulses behind menopause, learning how doctors help with managing symptoms, hearing about health risks women might face and the solutions offered by conventional medicine.

“After this, I’ll give a talk on Eastern approaches to wellbeing and offer guidance on nutrition which can help support women’s experience,” continues Petra. “This is followed by a 90-minute yoga class that targets specific aspects of menopause: joint and muscle pain, stress and anxiety, sleep problems and trouble with focusing and concentrating.”

In addition to exercise, Petra teaches about treatments to relieve symptoms. These include natural remedies, how nutrition can be supportive, and HRT. She also includes an introduction to Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient holistic system based on the belief that the mind, body and spirit need to be balanced. The classes also discuss self-care, your changing sex life and your libido.

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LIFE CHANGES

Menopause can be a time when women take a pause to assess their busy lives and nurture themselves Resources and reading Cracking The Menopause While Keeping Yourself Together by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie is a well-researched and beautifully written book that discusses all aspects of the menopause with wit and candour. It highlights the experience of women from all walks of life and is a fact-based tool to help you negotiate your own experience (£20, Waterstones). And don’t forget to get cashback at Waterstones from CSSC savings. n Women’s health charity Wellbeing of Women is actively encouraging workplaces to sign up to the Menopause Workplace Pledge. Its patron, the Countess of Wessex, talks about the impact that menopause can have on women. Over 100 companies have signed up to the pledge already. n The Menopause Charity, which boasts Davina McCall, Jo Whiley and Mariella Frostrup as ambassadors, has a range of resources to help you navigate your way through this time.

PHOTOGRAPHS: PETRA COVENEY//SHUTTERSTOCK

A new door opens

Petra explains: “There’s something about the combination of exercise with education that seems to help my clients in real, measurable ways. I aim to educate women so that they can take control of their minds, emotions and bodies as these change.

“Underneath all of this is a truly positive philosophy. Rather than being an ending, menopause can be a time when women take a pause to assess their busy lives and nurture themselves. As women, we are often so busy looking after work, house and family that we can place ourselves last. I encourage women to use this time to educate themselves on what’s happening in their bodies and acknowledge how this affects their feelings and their attitudes.”

Though this part of our lives is normal and natural, it can bring some pretty discouraging elements. So if you are having some of the signs and symptoms

of menopause, why not start to research ways that you can improve your experience? There is plenty of information available if you search for it, and above all, build some exercise into your daily routine.

“Reframing the menopause as a natural transition to a positive, empowering stage of life can change the way women view the menopause,” Petra concludes. “Just doing this can reduce anxiety and fear – and encourage women to seek out the support they need to positively prioritise their health and happiness.”

CSSC life Remember, as a CSSC member you get free access to CSSC life, the comprehensive health and wellbeing platform. CSSC life includes courses, classes, techniques and advice on yoga, nutrition, breathing, exercise and meditation, which may help you on your journey. If you’d like to set up your own yoga classes, you may be able to apply for funding, support and advice from CSSC.

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Explore the magic of Merlin this summer Get away to Blackpool – just one of the opportunities on offer this year to delight and distract you and your family How many times throughout the Easter, half-term and summer holidays do parents hear the immortal words “I’m bored” resonate throughout the house?

As even once can feel like nails down a chalkboard, it’s no surprise that Merlin Entertainment’s fantastic range of locations and attractions make the most popular destinations for families all year round.

As anyone who’s ever been to one of Merlin’s famed attractions will know, there really is something for everyone! Nowhere else in the country is this truer than

in Blackpool. From the famous promenade to the iconic Blackpool Tower, from the glitz of the Tower Ballroom to A-List celebrity waxworks, Blackpool offers all the magic of Merlin in a mile, or two.

We were given a sneak peek at some of Blackpool’s classic attractions and some new adventures to get stuck into this spring. What’s more, our friends at Merlin have given us some awesome tickets to share with some lucky winners. Just jump forward to page 25 to see how you could win a fab trip to a Blackpool Merlin adventure.

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WIN

an epic family adventure to one of Merlin’s Blackpool attractions Fancy going on one of these awesome adventures with your family or friends?

If so, all you have to do is to go to page 25 to enter our prize draw giveaway, and you could end up taking up to four guests with you for a fantastic day out in Blackpool.

PHOTOGRAPHS: MERLIN ENTERTAINMENT

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© FREDERICK WARNE & CO LIMITED AND SILVERGATE PPL LIMITED, 2021. BASED ON THE WORKS OF BEATRIX POTTER. PETER RABBIT AND BEATRIX POTTER ARE TRADEMARKS OF FREDRICK WARNE AND CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

MERLIN

The ultimate answer to “I’m bored” awaits

PETER RABBIT™ : Explore and Play Blackpool

Brand new for 2022, your favourite characters from the awardwinning PETER RABBIT™ animated TV series are arriving in Blackpool!

Hop into the oversized world of Peter and his friends to embark on an adventure across five fluffytailed themed zones. Think like a rabbit, move like a rabbit and deploy rabbit-like senses in order to find out if you have the skills to join the secret treehouse club!

Splash into Jeremy Fisher’s sensory pond and help Jeremy and his friends to make pond music. Climb, crawl and jump around Mr McGregor’s garden as you search for Peter and his friends, who are all hiding. Hop inside the burrow to explore the home of Peter Rabbit and help Peter’s family get ready for the most important time of the day – dinner time! Discover amazing inventions inside Mr Bouncer’s Invention Workshop before heading to the secret treehouse to meet, greet and ‘high-paw’ with Peter himself.

Head to social media for fabulously furry updates.

SEA LIFE Blackpool

SEA LIFE zones and discover over 2,500 creatures of the deep.

Take a trip through rock pools, shorelines and tropical coral reefs, and prepare to be mesmerised by our extraordinary Ocean Tunnel.

It’s the perfect day out for the whole family.

Madame Tussauds Blackpool

Step into the world of fame and celebrity at Madame Tussauds Blackpool and get up close and personal with your favourite stars of all kinds!

Meet YouTube sensation DanTDM, the Minecraft legend with 25.3m YouTube subscribers. Step into a replica of Dan’s office and pull up a chair to game alongside the superstar’s brand-new wax alter ego.

Alternatively, if you’re more of a fan of the Royal Family than gaming royalty, keep calm: the Queen has arrived. Take a seat next to Her Majesty the Queen, or stand alongside Kate and Will for a family photo that’ll take your friends by surprise.

Prepare for a world of glistening scales, colourful creatures and razor-sharp teeth at SEA LIFE Blackpool. From the sunny shoreline to the darkest depths of the ocean, there is a whole underwater world to discover, taking you face to fin with life under the waves.

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Take to the floor and find out your score in the Strictly Experience and burst into the action with THE MARVEL SUPER HEROES, where you can discover your power with Captain Marvel and come face to face with Thor.

Move into the Sporting Heroes Academy to unleash your inner sporting hero and conquer the exciting interactive challenges!

A visit to Madame Tussauds Blackpool will definitely leave you more than a little star-struck.

The Blackpool Tower Eye

Escape to new heights and experience the pinnacle of Blackpool’s most iconic landmark, with The Blackpool Tower Eye offering views and an experience like nowhere else.

Start your journey to the sky with a stop at the incredible 4D cinema, where immersive, multisensory special effects bring the unique history of The Blackpool Tower to life in an exciting motion picture, thrilling both kids and adults alike.

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MERLIN

The Blackpool Tower Dungeon

Journey through Lancashire’s darkest and funniest history – it’s so much fun it’s scary!

The Blackpool Tower Dungeon is a uniquely thrilling attraction for older kids to enjoy, where you’ll

live and breathe the full extent of Lancashire’s ’orrible past. As you move from show to show in this exciting, interactive adventure through the past, you’ll see, smell and hear the gruesome history the county holds, finishing with the ultimate Drop Ride to the Death if

Something for everyone in Blackpool

you dare. Make a stop by The Red Lion Tavern for some terror-fic refreshments too!

Discover the ultimate thrillfilled journey through 1,000 years of the region’s murky past with 10 awesome live shows and a 60-minute tour filled with laughter, theatre, jokes, history, special effects and hilarious new seasonal shows every year.

The Blackpool Tower Circus

Visit the award-winning Blackpool Tower Circus and enjoy masses of high-flying, death-defying performances combined with the side-splitting slapstick humour of beloved resident clowns Mooky and Mr Boo. Prepare to marvel at the sensational mix of talented acts from all over the world, a whole

host of jaw-dropping feats from the performers, not to mention the world-famous water finale: The Blackpool Tower Circus is the perfect place to enjoy some family fun! With a brand-new seasonal show that launches every spring and runs through to November, it’s a first-class show that everyone should experience.

So if you’re after the ultimate family extravaganza, The Blackpool Tower Circus is something not to be missed! n These are just some of the brilliant days out you

can explore across the UK with Merlin and CSSC. Whether it’s the world-famous Madame Tussauds, The Dungeons, SEA LIFE Centres, or else thrilling theme parks like LEGOLAND Windsor, Alton Towers or Thorpe Park Resorts, you’re sure of an outstanding family day out. n Remember to visit our website for some of the best-priced tickets around.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: MERLIN ENTERTAINMENT

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Take the thrilling 90-second lift 380ft into the sky to the top of the Blackpool Tower, where you can see out to the steel girders and panoramic views of Blackpool and the iconic Comedy Carpet below.

If you are even more of a thrill seeker, face your fears if you dare and stride out onto the Skywalk, a glass viewing platform from where you can gaze down at the famous Golden Mile Promenade far below your feet.

Your adventure doesn’t end there, however: ascend a further two levels to experience a truly unique and beautiful view of the coastline from a height of almost 500ft in the air!

COMPETITION

WIN

an epic family adventure to one of Merlin’s brilliant Blackpool attractions Win entry for up to 5 people to one of these awesome attractions:

PHOTOGRAPHS: MERLIN ENTERTAINMENT/SHUTTERSTOCK

Thanks to our partners at Merlin Entertainment, we’re giving away some tickets for a very special family day out

To win tickets for a family of five to one of Merlin’s seven Blackpool attractions, all you have to do is enter your details and tell us ‘What’s your favourite thing to do with CSSC’. We’ll pick one lucky winner for each of the seven Blackpool Merlin attractions. www.cssc.co.uk/podium-prize-draw-entryform

Jump the queue and get a second entry

If you really want to win a family trip to one of these brilliant attractions, you can get a second entry and double your chance of winning, by entering on social media.

Merlin is the home of fun, so we’d like to see you having a giggle at any one of

Merlin’s top venues. Share a picture with us on either Instagram or Facebook and tag us using #CSSCMerlin. We’ll give you another entry into the prize draw giveaway.

Merlin Attractions: n The Dungeons n SEA LIFE Centres n Madame Tussauds n Alton Towers Resort n Chessington World of Adventures n LEGOLAND WindsorResort n The lastminute.com London Eye n Thorpe Park Resort n Warwick Castle Visit the website for full T&Cs Find out more about the epic Blackpool adventures on page 22

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Registration is now open for the tenth biennial CSSC Games

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The CSSC Games 2022 Join us at Loughborough University, 15-16 September 2022 First held in 2003, the CSSC Games has been a popular fixture in our sporting calendar ever since.

And in September this year, the fantastic facilities at Loughborough University will once again play host to our flagship sporting event.

We’re looking forward to hosting all the usual firm favourites like football, netball, hockey and rounders.

And what’s more, we’re really thrilled to be able to introduce some new and different activities and events for you this year!

New for 2022

This year we’re introducing an exciting new element to make the Games even better and more inclusive.

Participants will be able to take part in more than one event over the weekend. So whether you fancy having a go at a couple of completely different sports, or prefer to specialise in your chosen field, this year’s CSSC Games is most definitely for you.

Expect the unexpected

For members who haven’t experienced the Games before, this unique biennial event offers the perfect blend of fun, camaraderie and competition. But the sports are only part of the weekend. As well as an awesome opportunity to test your skills and challenge yourself against some of the sports enthusiasts in the public sector, the Games also

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

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Registration is now open Whether you want to join as a team or an individual, register your interest now. Spaces are limited, so avoid disappointment by signing up today.

If you’re looking to join a team or you have spare spaces available, make sure you get in touch, and we’ll try our best to get you to the Games.

Register for the Games now, at: www.cssc.co.uk/cssc-games-2022

provides a great chance for team building, across your department and the whole country.

You’ll get to make friends and connections across the entire civil service and public sector (the Games offers a brilliant chance to network).

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

Opportunities for all

If you’re more of an observer than a competitor, we’ve got you covered too.

There are loads of great volunteering opportunities at the CSSC Games (from driving competitors to events, marshalling and stewarding visitors, to officiating at games and matches).

Whatever your passion, the CSSC Games can bring you closer to the action.

Sign up and volunteer now at csscgames@cssc.co.uk

Socialise your exercise

As anyone who’s ever been to a CSSC Games will tell you, it’s not all about sport. It’s the evening entertainment where the lasting memories are made. And this year will certainly be no exception.

In honour of our 100th anniversary (1921-2021), this year’s evening party theme will be the decade of decadence that was the 1920s. So dig out your feather boas and pinstripe suits and get ready to join in the fun.

All competitors and volunteers are welcome to join in with the evening social activities and our renowned fancy dress themed party.

For any queries or questions about volunteering, competing or just getting involved, please email us at csscgames@cssc.co.uk.

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Can you run a marathon?

Yes, you can!

Most of us think it’s completely beyond us, but a marathon really is worth considering… By Adrian Monti PODIUM ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2022 | cssc.co.uk/PODIUM

NEW CHALLENGES

Joining a group is the best way to train

Whether you’re an occasional jogger or a more serious runner, the question of whether you could one day run a marathon has probably crossed your mind while you’re pounding the pavements.

Completing the iconic 26.2-mile distance should never be taken lightly. But Stuart Slavicky, who has clocked up nearly 20 marathons, believes that, with the right approach, even more of us could discover our own inner endurance runner.

“Running a marathon is a massive undertaking, so you do need to respect the distance,” says Stuart, who is head of marketing and communications at CSSC. “But it’s certainly achievable even for many newbie runners.”

Getting going

However, before signing up to run a marathon, you need to think why you’re doing it. For some it may be a long-held dream or another tick on your ‘bucket list’, so the most important thing is simply getting round, especially if you’re supporting a charity. For others, it might be a chance to fire up the competitive mojo and target a specific time. Yet whatever your goal, careful preparation is vital once you find the one you want to run.

“Find yourself an online training plan – these are usually 16 to 20 weeks long – which will break down what you should be doing each day leading up to the race,” explains Stuart. And he certainly should know – he already has Edinburgh, Paris, Boston and three London marathons, among others, under his running belt.

“These plans are a mix of speed and endurance sessions, which usually peak with a 20 to 22 mile long run two weeks before race day. It’s a good idea to join a local running club or an informal group as it can be more motivating doing varied sessions on new routes,” he adds.

“It’s also more sociable than always training alone.”

Whichever you opt for, if you’re keen to give it your best, you’ll need to prioritise training. Try to encourage your family and friends to support you too. As well as keeping you focused on your challenge it will help maintain household harmony if they understand why you’re doing this, Stuart Slavicky given that you’ll be out running quite a lot! rises to the Because you’re clocking up all those marathon miles, expect a few niggles and aches challenge along the way. But if anything is causing

serious pain or discomfort, get it checked out by a physiotherapist who is experienced in dealing with runners’ injuries. Ideally fit in a bit of strengthening work alongside your running to help your core muscles. (You can find many easy-to-master exercises in CSSC life, our health and wellbeing platform, as well as stretches to do before and after your runs.)

Kit, caboodle and fuel

All that training will mean you’ll need a variety of kit for different weathers. There’s nothing more miserable than being cold and wet or far too hot – and with the sheer volume of gear available there is absolutely no need to be. Find clothing that doesn’t chafe against your body and cause soreness, and wear it in before marathon day.

Among your key investments should be a decent pair of running shoes. Many running shops can analyse your gait to find the best pair for you, and this is important as blisters or other foot issues stop even the best runners in their tracks.

To fuel all your running, you need to consider your nutritional requirements. Although carbohydrates (in foods such as pasta, bread and potatoes) will give you plentiful energy, you also need quality protein (for instance, fish, eggs or lentils) to help your body repair itself and recover after running. Experiment too with energy drinks, gels and bars which can give you a real boost by fuelling tired muscles during your longer runs. But make sure you try these out during training. (Some people find they can cause an upset tummy – and you don’t want to find that out during the marathon.)

Less essential but often useful kit includes GPS watches, which record how far you have run, in what time and at what pace along with a whole host of other data; these are now very popular with runners.

If you do enjoy techie stuff, various running apps can be easily downloaded to record your runs and more, which will help keep you motivated. “Consistency is key to marathon training,” Stuart points out. “It’s all about making progress, so if you can run much further than you ever could when you started training, that’s hugely motivating.”

Remember to check our CSSC savings and My Active Discounts for all our best deals on clothing, equipment, tech and nutrition.

If you concentrate on what you need

to do, you will cross that finishing line

The main event

Race day itself will inevitably conjure up some worries before you reach the start line, from a poor night’s

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29

NEW CHALLENGES

Which marathon to pick?

Here are three top choices n London. With 40,000 running on the capital’s streets at last October’s event, it’s been a draw since its debut in 1981. You can try to enter via the race’s ballot system, or, if you have set a fast time elsewhere, go for a ‘good for age’ spot. An easier way is supporting a charity, but you must agree to fundraise a certain sum. Visit tcslondonmarathon. com for more information. n Manchester. Regarded as among the UK’s flattest courses and as the fourth largest marathon in Europe, it’s a hugely popular springtime one which welcomes all abilities. See manchestermarathon. co.uk for more information. n Loch Ness. It’s part of a weekend running festival which also includes 10K, 5K and junior races. Your route passes stunning Highland scenery along the shores of Loch Ness before heading back into Inverness. Go to lochnessmarathon.com for more details.

sleep to missing that last-minute toilet stop, to take two common examples. However, most of these can be overcome before they turn into a full-blown disaster, so don’t get too hung up on them.

“Someone once told me a marathon is really a 20-mile run followed by a 10km race,” says Stuart. “It’s therefore a case of preserving enough energy to get you to that point with six miles to go and then seeing what’s left in the tank. For many that final stretch will be a massive struggle, but if you block out all the emotion of the day and instead concentrate on what you need to do, you will cross that finishing line. You can then proudly say you’ve run a marathon.”

MY MARATHON STORY

Lewis Gilbert, 27 “When lockdown began, my partner suggested I find a new activity, or I might become a couch potato. So I decided to get back into running most days before deciding I wanted to run a proper marathon. Knowing less than 1 per cent of the population has run one, it seemed a cool thing to do.

“I chose the Brighton Marathon – partly because it’s a fairly flat course – and in May (the race was in September) I began a 14-week training plan with the aim of finishing in four hours. Being new to running, I soon learnt all about tempo runs, hill reps [repeats] and speed sessions. I enjoyed the escapism of running and once did a training run over Salisbury Plain where I didn’t see another person for over an hour. Luckily, I stayed injury-free, which I think was due to sticking to the rest days on my plan. As for

nutrition, my appetite became enormous, and I would eat much more than usual.

“Knowing I was fundraising for a charity was a constant reminder of why I was doing it and what a privilege it was to be able to run a marathon.

I did suffer some pre-race anxiety and experienced impostor syndrome and felt I wasn’t a real runner, but I think that’s normal.

“On race day I remember walking to the start and feeling really excited seeing all the other runners.

After weeks of training, the day had finally arrived.

I set off too fast as most beginners often do; I reached halfway much quicker than I expected, which I did pay for later. Although I knew I could physically do it – I’d done all the training – I had to convince my mind I could do it too. Towards the end, I simply put one foot in front of the other and finished in 4 hours 3 minutes, which was slightly over my target time but I was still really pleased with what I had achieved. I know I’ve got a short attention span, so getting through all the training and the race was one of the proudest moments of my life. I now want to do more marathons.”

Lewis is a Content Producer at CSSC Sports and Leisure.

Remember, you can get help with the cost of some entry fees to certain organised runs with CSSC’s subsidy scheme

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One of the proudest moments of Lewis’s life

PHOTOGRAPHS:BRIGHTON MARATHON/BOSTON MARATHON/SHUTTERSTOCK

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London Marathon 2022 Join the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability and take on the London Marathon to support adults living with brain injury and neurological conditions

£100

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£1,900 Sunday 2 October

We need your support.

There were approximately 954 Acquired Brain Injury admissions per day to UK hospitals in 2016-17 – that’s one every 90 seconds.

SCAN ME

Find more fundraising events rhn.org.uk/events Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability West Hill, Putney London, SW15 3SW 020 8780 4500

events@rhn.org.uk

OUT AND ABOUT

Dining out with a difference 32

What are you having for dinner tonight? Nettle soup followed by deep-fried oyster mushrooms with a dandelion leaf salad, possibly? Maybe finished off with a wild gooseberry fool and a glass or two of elderflower cordial?

Most likely not, but the key ingredients of these are just some of the wild foods that flourish in our countryside. They could be on your plate tonight – and they’re free.

Foraging explained for beginners

Foraging – which is searching for edible wild plants which grow in our open spaces – has been taken up by many more people in recent years. Although it’s certainly not a new fad – it’s what our ancient hunter-gatherer ancestors did back in the day to survive – it’s now seen as an engaging activity for the whole family.

One person who keeps a close eye on what’s happening in our hedgerows is Helen Keating. As well as being the content manager for the Woodland Trust, the UK conservation charity, she is a keen forager when out with her own family and dogs around her home in rural Lincolnshire.

“Foraging has certainly become very popular in the last few years,” says Helen, who is a trained

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

Fancy a go at foraging? We point out some of the meals hidden in our hedgerows… By Adrian Monti

WHAT KIT DO I NEED FOR FORAGING? n A reliable, well-illustrated guidebook (which should be small enough to take with you) to identify plants – Food for Free by Richard Mabey (Collins Gem) is an ideal choice n A container such as a Tupperware plastic box (especially for delicate berries or leaves), a traditional wicker basket or even a plastic bag to keep what you have gathered in until you return home n A pair of secateurs or kitchen-style scissors for snipping off leaves n A penknife, which is useful when collecting mushrooms or other fungi once you are more confident about foraging n A pair of gardening gloves or sturdy everyday ones for when rummaging in nettles n A small pocket-sized torch if you need a closer view among the undergrowth in a shady part of a wood n A folding magnifying glass to give you a better view of what you are identifying n Take a map or notebook with you to takes notes or record good spots you’ve found on your expeditions

What’s for dinner? That depends on

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

what’s in season

botanist. “I think there are a number of reasons for this. It might be partly due to TV chefs talking about foraging for ingredients that they use in dishes on their menus. It could also be traced to a sense that we’re picking our own food to eat, which feels more natural and sustainable for the planet. I think this fresh interest has increased even more in the past two years, especially during the first lockdown. People then were going out walking more, so exploring their nearby woods and open spaces. They may have become more aware of the wide variety of things growing in the hedgerows and other places that, after a bit of careful research, they can eat.”

portable help for identifying wild plants along with their fruits, berries and nuts. You could also consider one of the increasingly popular foraging courses where you can spend a few hours, a day, a weekend or even longer alongside an experienced forager.

You can pick up, at first hand, some of their skills in identifying some of the delicious and nutritious things nature offers up to us.

There are a few other basic guidelines to follow when you go foraging, Helen adds. “Foraging is really fun, but you don’t want to cause any damage to where you are going to collect what’s growing. You also should not take more than you actually need and will use,” she explains. “You want to leave some for others to enjoy and also to ensure that it grows again the next year.”

The Woodland Trust provides a helpful set of guidelines so you can get the most out of your new-found pastime. They range from not trampling down areas where edible plants are growing, to only foraging where there is an abundance of flowers, leaves, fruits and seeds, again with the proviso of not stripping the site bare.

You should be aware, too, that at some locations, such as ancient woods, some of the rare edible plants that grow there are legally off limits. The Wildlife and Countryside Act also states that you cannot take what’s growing on certain land unless you have permission from the landowner or occupier.

But that said, there are more than enough places you can happily explore and bring back what you find.

Easy ways to get started

The distinctive smell of wild garlic (or ‘ramsons’, as it is also known) can waft through many woods between March and July. The garlic often appears as a large carpet of white flowers, but it’s the healthy-

Safety before everything else

And that research, of course, is essential. Making sure you only pick what is safe to eat and won’t cause you any harm is vital to foraging. “If you’re starting out on foraging trips, you really need to know what you’re doing and never take any risks,” says Helen. “Mushrooms and other fungi in particular really need an experienced eye to safely identify, so for the novice, I would start your foraging on a really basic level.”

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33

OUT AND ABOUT

Foraging is what our hunter-gatherer ancestors did to survive

A long way from the supermarket shelves

looking leaves which grow close to the ground which you want to pick, taking care not to uproot the plant’s bulb. Once you have gathered a few leaves, they can be used in salads, sauces or made into a pesto sauce to serve with pasta.

Later in the year, one of the easiest ways to forage is to go blackberrying (any time from late summer into the autumn) where brambles can be found.

Those inviting, deep-purple berries can be eaten raw (remember to only pick those at a decent height, away from dogs’ reach) or used in such tasty treats as crumbles, pies and jams.

Another popular berry abundant in our countryside is the sloe, which comes from the blackthorn bush. Sloes too are found in the autumn and traditionally should be picked after the first frost has been. One popular way to use them is in sloe gin (find simple recipes for this online); leave them to ferment for a couple of months, and enjoy at

Christmas – or, of course, surprise your friends and family with a home-made present.

Obviously, what you forage for is dictated by the seasons and where you are based. If you live by the coast for instance, seaweed, kelp and even shellfish can be added to what you can forage. But whether it’s the likes of chestnuts in midwinter, elderflowers to make cordial in early summer or rosehips to make a satisfying syrup to pour over desserts in early autumn, there’s usually something to be found whatever the month.

Foraging really does open up a whole new world, which many of us might not have paid enough attention to before. Suddenly you might find yourself enthusiastically hunting for young, succulent nettle leaves to make a soup, or gathering enough hawthorn berries to make a jelly to liven up the most mundane cheese sandwich. Whereas dinner used to be determined by the contents of your fridge or cupboards, or what you could find on the supermarket shelves, now it’s shaped by what you find on a short trip to the countryside.

“I love that people who do forage know the best places and perfect time to pick what’s growing wild around their community,” Helen concludes. “It feels like a real link to our past; this is how people fed themselves over the centuries, and now a new generation is doing the same. Foraging really puts you so in touch with nature, and you have a real sense of what’s in season and what to look out for.”

For more details about the Woodland Trust, visit woodlandtrust.org.uk

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

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BOWLING

My tenpin bowling qualifier 36

Lauren Fairhurst

I haven’t really been that sporty since leaving education. So, I couldn’t pass up the chance to have a bit of fun, while trying to qualify for a tournament.

I was scrolling through the CSSC website looking for activities to do, having promised myself I’d try something new, when I came across the ‘Tenpin Bowling Qualifier’. The first bit was fine – I had many happy memories of bowling with friends when I was younger – but ‘Qualifier’?

If you’re anything like me, you see the word ‘qualifier’ and instantly panic that you’re not good enough to participate in a competitive sport. I hadn’t really done any sport since leaving university so the idea of suddenly taking part in something competitive felt all too overwhelming for me. So I scrolled on, but kept the date in the back of my mind.

Later that week I caught up with one of my friends about the event. She is a CSSC member too and significantly sportier than me. I mentioned the qualifier to her. Her response was: “We should go together; it would be a laugh.” And instantly my worries lifted. By having a friend to go with, I knew I’d at least have some support even if I was outbowled by everyone. So, with some trepidation and nervous excitement I signed us both up.

Just like a night out

The day came and we arrived together at the venue. The volunteer greeted us and made us feel welcome straight away. The first thing that I noticed was it wasn’t all that different to a night out at the bowling lanes with friends. Yes, some competitors had their own bowling balls, and their practice runs were probably equivalent to, if not better than, my

personal best, but there was a sense of fun, with old friends reuniting and reminiscing about previous years over a drink as they waited for their game to begin.

The volunteer explained the rules to us, and then without further ado, we were allocated a bowling lane and headed for practice. The person in the lane next to us had attended the qualifier on an annual basis and had experience of the national finals too. I was worried we would distract him from his qualifying, but he was so friendly and offered all of the help and support we needed!

By the end of the event, I had fully immersed myself in the world of tenpin bowling. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite achieve a high enough score to qualify this time around, but others who had never qualified before did. The best bit is that the higher the entry numbers, the more people the region can send through to the national final! So, although I didn’t make it this year, it left me determined to keep –up the tenpin bowling – and bring all of my friends along for the next one.

The two biggest things I’d say to any member who is considering taking part in a qualifying event are these: nY ou don’t have to be the best to have a good time! Yes, there is a competitive element to the event, but if you’re wanting to go along to for the experience, you’ll be made to feel welcome by volunteers and competitors alike. nJ ust give it a go! Bring a friend with you if you’re nervous about going alone the first time, and make the most of the day out. It’s such a sociable event and you’ll meet new people who may even become friends for life.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

Yes, you really can qualify in a new competitive sport…

By Lauren Fairhurst

GETTING AWAY

Youth hostels revisited

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

They’re not just for youth, and they’re a lot more than just hostels. For your next UK holiday, have you thought about the YHA option? By Judy Yorke

The staycation trend seems here to stay. Holidays abroad in the Covid era involve paperwork and keeping up with varying and ever-changing regulations in different countries. For many, it just seems too much stress and hassle for something that’s supposed to be a treat.

Most of us, willingly or unwillingly, ended up holidaying in the UK last year – and many expect to do the same this year. But if you’re despairing over costs, cleaning charges and minimum stays, we’re going to let you into a secret. Whisper it – well actually, shout it – but youth hostels are not just for the young. The ones run by the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) are budget-friendly, family-friendly and, well, just plain friendly. You’ll find them teeming with families and groups as well as single travellers.

An unexpectedly successful choice

37

They might not offer five-star luxury (don’t expect a turn-down service or a pillow menu) but nor are they all about dorms and shared showers. Yes, those are still available (Covid regs permitting) for those who want the cheapest option, and most beds are bunk beds, though we came across the occasional double. But you’ll also find private rooms, often en suite, and chores are no longer a thing. Facilities vary, but you can expect self-catering kitchens so you can cook for yourself, or, in most hostels, decently priced food cooked for you if you’d rather not bother. Many have drying rooms, lounges and even games rooms.

And one of the pleasures of hostelling is the sheer variety of accommodation and locations. Some hostels are bright and modern and located in city centres. Others are in historic buildings in amazing locations: YHA Whitby is about as close to Whitby Abbey as you can get without bumping into Dracula under one of the arches.

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A family rediscovery

starting to feel like a budget hotel (without the maid service), but with room for the kids to run about. Our accommodation – St Briavels – was an 800-yearold castle in the Forest of Dean near the Welsh border. And it was extraordinary. We booked in for a medieval banquet – the kids were delighted to discover you ate with your hands – and there were even archery lessons in the grounds.

A night in a castle, complete with medieval banquet

Locations to try If you’re visiting a historic palace, national park, castle or stately

National Trust land in the Peak

where you can watch

home, chances are there will be a YHA nearby. Here are some

District. Dovedale Stepping

excavations taking place in the

suggestions of places to see within shouting distance of a hostel.

Stones are within strolling

warmer months.

distance and you can’t

n York

n Tintern Abbey

to the Iron Age, is a must-

possibly stay here without

The youth hostel is a pleasant

Managed by Cadw, Tintern

see for history enthusiasts of

gingerly walking across them.

walk along the river from this

Abbey is just 15 minutes’

all ages. From the medieval

Hartington Hall near Buxton is

historic city. You can buy a

drive from YHA St Briavels, or

palace in the Great Tower to

a great base for activity

York Pass for one to three days,

about 40 minutes from the

the underground hospital in the

holidays. We hired bikes and

which gives you access to a

Wye Valley hostel. The ruins

secret war tunnels, this place

cycled along the traffic-free

number of attractions. We

still soar majestically, and

has something for everyone.

Tissington Trail. You can also

particularly enjoyed the cruise

photo opportunities abound.

There are often events there

stay in bell tents and landpods

and the JORVIK Viking Centre,

From there you can head

too, to tie in with historical

in the grounds.

and did a hilarious ghost tour in

to the ancient woodland of

events or school holidays. It’s

n Hadrian’s Wall

the evening.

Puzzlewood, where scenes from

also about 20 minutes by car

If you want to leave the car at

n Ironbridge

Star Wars, Doctor Who and

from YHA Canterbury, where

home, the modern youth hostel,

A handsome building that

Atlantis have been shot. Getting

you can stay in the main hostel

The Sill, is on a bus route which

was once part of the Coalport

lost along its twisty paths is sort

or a deluxe cabin.

also takes in English Heritage’s

China Works, YHA Ironbridge

of obligatory.

n The Peak District

Housesteads Roman Fort

Coalport is perfectly positioned

n Dover Castle

YHA Ilam Hall is an imposing

(amazing views) and Chesters

for an enjoyable visit to Blists

This English Heritage property,

gothic mansion which is

(amazing Roman baths). The

Hill Victorian Town as well as

which has origins dating back

actually set in 84 acres of

bus also calls at Vindolanda,

Ironbridge itself.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: JUDY YORKE/YHA (ENGLAND & WALES/SHUTTERSTOCK

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We first discovered YHAs in 2013 when we were looking for somewhere cheap to stay with our two primary school age children for one night when visiting Longleat. And cheap it was – we paid £40 for a family room.

I’d hostelled in Europe in my teens and must admit I didn’t really relish the thought of it, which was compounded when we arrived and realised we’d have to make up four bunk beds.

By the time of our next trip two years later, even that one task had been swept away. Beds were fully made up with signature YHA green duvets. It was

GETTING AWAY

It was so popular we could only book for a single night, and perhaps that was just as well. The following morning, after breakfast, we joined the guided tour of the place, which has the reputation of being the most haunted castle in England. Our room was called ‘Oubliette’. My schoolgirl French told me that meant something to do with forgetting; and so it proved. When the tour reached our room, the guide threw back the rug to reveal a trap door. In the past, people would be thrown down there and left to die – forgotten. I think we’d have been a bit too spooked to stay there a second night.

Since then, youth hostels have been our accommodation of choice whenever we’ve had a UK break. There’s so much more space than a hotel room and so much more flexibility than a hired cottage. We’re a sociable bunch so we like the communal atmosphere and chance to chat to other people about suggestions for what to do, and they are perfect for lone travellers as well. However, if you prefer peace and solitude that’s fine too. Many offer private hire if you want to fill the hostel with people you know.

We also love the sheer variety. We’ve stayed at a converted factory in Ironbridge and an Italian-style mansion in Bath. We’ve been in the middle of the countryside near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland and by the coast in Swanage. On one break, we stayed in three different properties in the Peak District (a long story involving a broken clutch and a frantic

last-minute booking), with fabulous walks right from the front door. Then there was the wonderfully located YHA Wye Valley, where from the car park we could wave at canoeists idling down the river.

We’ve enjoyed city breaks in Manchester and York and even stayed right next to St Paul’s Cathedral as an alternative to a late-night train home. And yes, the bells did keep us awake.

Many YHAs also offer camping facilities – a pleasant halfway house for the less hardy as you can use the facilities in the main building, which is especially handy if it rains. YHAs round the country offer a variety of outside accommodation including safari tents, cabins, landpods, deluxe camping pods (the one we stayed in at YHA Canterbury even had its own bathroom) and tipis.

Much more space

Go to Hadrian’s Wall from a modern hostel

than a hotel room and much more flexibility

PHOTOGRAPHS: YHA (ENGLAND & WALES)/SHUTTERSTOCK

than a hired cottage

TOP YOUTH HOSTELLING TIPS n Each youth hostel is different, so pay close attention to the description of each one on the website to check facilities. n Like mainstream hotels, prices can vary according to the day of the week and time of year. If you’re planning to stay at several in one trip, play about with the availability calendar to get the best prices.

You’ll get a 10 per cent reduction for your party if you’re a YHA member, and 5 per cent if you’re travelling with under 26s. Book directly by phone or on the YHA website to get these. n If you want to self-cater, plan your food shopping. We arrived at The Sill at Hadrian’s Wall by public transport and couldn’t find anywhere to buy bread. YHA Wye Valley is down a perilous road which, believe me, you wouldn’t want to tackle in the dark.

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CYCLING

The world on two wheels Travelling by bike guarantees a fantastic adventure and allows you to discover much more than on a regular holiday… By OS Maps When you’re planning your next holiday, why don’t you consider something new? Cycle touring.

There are lots of reasons why it’s a great idea. To start with, riding a bike is incredibly good for you. It’s a low-impact form of exercise, which means anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can do it for day after day. There really is no better feeling than being out on the open road, even if it is blowing a hoolie – it all adds to the adventure. And you’re burning so many calories that you’ll need to keep yourself fuelled, which is why cycle touring is great if you enjoy coffee and cake!

Then there’s the fact that you’ll see far more of the world. You can stop and admire a view whenever you wish, and you’re likely to meet some interesting and helpful people along the way. Finally, cycle touring allows us to reduce our carbon footprint and save a lot of money. Once you reach your start point, there are no tickets or fuel or travel costs required (apart from the occasional ferry ticket, some bike oil and tools), so travelling by bike can cost you practically nothing, especially if you explore from your front door. Or if you prefer, you can stay in luxury hotels and eat at restaurants: you’ll still be saving money on transport!

40

PHOTOGRAPHS: JESSIE LEONG

Choosing your route

Which to opt for? A longdistance trip or a beginnerfriendly microadventure?

While you’re thinking it over, it’s worth reading up on other people’s cycle touring adventures (especially if you’re thinking of going abroad). Search for the routes you wish to take, and read what other people have to say, so that you get a better idea of where to go, what to

avoid, what to take, and what you can expect. You could also sign up to a cycle touring forum, such as the CTC Forum or the Cycling UK Forum and get tips and advice.

Plans and preparations

If you only have a certain time frame for your trip, it’s important to have a rough itinerary and schedule before you set off. This will give you an idea of how far you need to cover each day to stay on course and will allow you to arrange your accommodation in advance if that’s what you’re planning.

However, the beauty of cycle touring is that it’s incredibly flexible, especially if you cook and camp along the way. Sleeping under the stars gives you a real sense of adventure and a huge amount of freedom. You can also use sites like Warmshowers, where generous cyclists across the world offer shower facilities, bed and meals. If you do camp , please remember to do so responsibly and leave absolutely no trace behind.

If it’s your very first time heading out on a long-distance cycling tour, and you’re looking for a more relaxing trip, it might also be worth looking into guided and semi-guided tours. These are run by cycling experts who can help you with route planning, accommodation and restaurant booking, and also support you while you ride.

Essential kit

You’re not going anywhere without your twowheeled friend, but how do you choose which bike will serve you best?

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CYCLING

There really is no better feeling than being out on the open road

41

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CYCLING

An incredible adventure

Above all, do give it a go. If you stay in the UK, there are so many incredible cycle routes for you to choose from. When you’re choosing your cycle touring route, consider the parts of the country that you’ve never visited; is there a way that you can string together as many of these destinations as possible? Get yourself a map suitable for cycle touring, such as an OS Landranger map (for longer distances) or an OS Explorer map (for shorter distances), to help you devise a route; or else plan your journey online. You can search from thousands of tried and tested on and off-road cycling routes in OS Maps or have a go at plotting your own. OS Maps also has a Sustrans National Cycle Network layer, helping you to easily view the UK’s wide network of signed on and off-road paths and routes, which is handy for those wanting to explore this country by bike.

Or if you’re tempted to venture further, one of the great things about cycle touring is that it can take you anywhere! Some people enjoy the challenge of cycling across a country or island, while others take

Basic kit list n How much you take is down to personal preference; it all depends how much you’re willing to carry. Here’s a suggested kit list which is relatively low in weight and will be suitable for most spring or summer cycle tours. n Paper map, GPS, phone for mapping with OS Maps, plus power bank for charging n Bike and luggage bags – can often be hired if you don’t have your own n Bike tools, pump, spare tubes, helmet, water bottle n Spare clothes – to save weight, have just one on-bike outfit and one off-bike outfit for the evenings or if you get wet. Two pairs of socks and underwear are a must. Padded shorts highly recommended! n Gloves, hat, Buff – even on summer trips in Britain, these will help you keep warm if the weather does turn n Toiletries – take the basics: sunscreen, toothbrush and toothpaste, wet wipes, tissues, deodorant n First aid kit along with any medication you may need n Mini towel – perfect for washing/drying your face in a river! n Sleep system if you’re camping – sleeping bag, liner, mat, tent or bivvy, tarp n Cooking gear if cooking on the road – stove, pot, gas n Knife, spork, lighter – even if you aren’t cooking, these come in handy for preparing supermarket food n Sandwich bags – often come in useful, from transporting leftover pizza to taking your waste with you n Bungee, electrical tape and cable ties – can fix just about anything n Emergency snacks – peanut butter, flapjacks and isotonic tablets make great fuel

on the epic challenge of cycling around the world. If you are inspired by a global adventure, then OS Maps now offers standard mapping across the globe, with topographical mapping also available in Australia and New Zealand, with more countries to come soon.

Cycle touring really is the greatest adventure! So, whether you’re thinking about swapping four wheels for two on your next holiday or just pedalling out for a night under the stars, dive into the world of bike travel and you’ll never look back! n Visit osmaps.com, or download the app free

on iOS or Android, and unlock unlimited mapping and discover existing routes for inspiration and planning. n Visit shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk for paper maps and a range of equipment to help with your next adventure. n Don’t forget CSSC members receive a 10 per cent discount on OS Maps premium subscription and a 10 per cent discount on any OS Explorer or Landranger paper maps.

PODIUM ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2022 | cssc.co.uk/PODIUM

PHOTOGRAPH: MAREK PIWNICKI

42

The most common type of cycle touring involves a touring or hybrid bike. A steel frame is incredibly robust and will handle the weight of your luggage well, while an aluminium frame will be much lighter and easier to manoeuvre. Most cycle tourists carry all their own gear with them (in their bike panniers), but you can also arrange to have your luggage transported, so you won’t be weighed down by it and you’ll also travel further and faster. Also, while most cycle touring is done along roads, with the occasional gravel or off-road section, ‘bikepacking’ is a type of cycle touring that uses off-road routes, so a gravel bike or a mountain bike, along with lighter, more compact luggage, would be more suitable.

When it comes to other equipment, of course here at Ordnance Survey we would argue the most important items are your map or route. On a bike, people may prefer to follow a digital route. This could be on a GPS device, or via OS Maps app on your phone, but we’d always recommend a backup paper map as well.

You’ll also need various other things, including your bike pump, tools (including a spare inner tube) and a water bottle, and if you’re planning to camp and cook along the way, you’ll have more to pack.

And as with any other holiday, you’ll need to pack for the weather and time of year. In summer, you’ll be carrying less – though cycling in the heat can be harder work and there may be more cars on the road. Cycling in winter through heavy rain and wind is equally challenging, and you’ll need good kit to keep you warm and dry. Even if the weather forecast looks good, it’s best to cover all bases and pack waterproofs and warm clothes just in case.

WATER

Messing about on the water With summer on the way, what better time to explore off-land adventures? By Judy Yorke

Paddleboarder

PHOTOGRAPHS: MOLLIE MILLINGTON/SHUTTERSTOCK

Mollie Millington

Perhaps it’s because we’re an island.

Perhaps it’s the timeless lure of the ocean and the lake (or canal, river or lagoon). Perhaps it’s the inspiration of our Olympic heroes – we just keep on winning medals in and on the water. But whatever the reason, one thing is sure: more of us are taking up water sports than ever.

‘Water sports’ is a very broad term, and there is something to appeal to everyone. You might like the idea of spending a day gently putting oar to river, stopping to picnic on the banks; you might prefer 20 exhilarating seconds of water-skiing. Some people like the challenge of a stand-up paddleboard, where success or failure is down to you alone, while others prefer the camaraderie of a group open water swim. You might want to try something that’s easy to master, or enjoy the stimulation of learning a challenging new skill.

CSSC offers plenty of opportunities to get involved in water sports, with everything from angling championships to podcasts and advice about open water swimming. In May, the CSSC ASA Swimming, Diving, Water Polo and Lifesaving Championships will take place in Sheffield. We also have discounts

at local pools and at a range of retailers including Sports Direct and Decathlon.

Sailor vie, sailor way

The Civil Service Sailing Association has clubs around the country, both inland and offshore. Eileen Kitts is editor of the Civil Service Sailing magazine and a sailing enthusiast herself. “It’s great out on the water and there’s nothing else there,” she says. “There’s this sense of freedom and peace.”

She adds: “It makes you realise you have to go with the flow. You can’t force things: if the wind drops, you won’t go as fast. It can make you feel small in some ways and powerful in others. It’s just a lovely sensation. Doing a hobby is good for the soul and your mental health. But it’s the freedom and being by the water I find so calming. There’s also a great sense of teamwork when you’re on a yacht.”

Membership has risen since the end of lockdown, so Eileen hopes the message is getting through. “Just give it a try,” she urges.

Taking it to the board level

Mollie Millington, 42, is one of the many to discover paddleboarding in the last couple of years. She took up the sport to participate in a London regatta

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in the autumn of 2019. It ended up being cancelled because of the weather, but by now she had the bug.

“Honestly, during lockdown it helped me stay calm,” says Mollie. “I tried to be on the water as much as possible in the sunshine. I’m also a runner, but paddleboarding lets you see where you live from a different angle. When you’re in the water you can get deeper into nature, I find, than if you’re running along a road or a towpath.”

One big advantage of paddleboards is they don’t need to take up a lot of space – many are inflatable so they fold down small. And just about anyone can do it. “It’s something for all ages,” says Mollie, who’s a personal trainer from London. “Whether you have body joint issues or you’re a bit overweight, anybody can pretty much keep up with each other.”

Civil Service Offshore Racing Club’s Fastnet 2021 crew

Canoeist Chris Edge

using your arms, you’re using your feet; because you are pushing the boat along with your feet, the energy travels up through your body, your knees are moving, your hips are rotating, your upper body is rotating.

You are out in the fresh air so get good access to an open environment, especially in the summer.”

With canoeing and kayaking, there is something for you whatever you want to get out of it. Competitive types can take part in sprint or marathon races, but you can just go for a gentle,

Paddle your own canoe

Chris Edge first got in a canoe at Butlin’s when he was about nine. Now 40, he is a coach and an instructor and also runs a sea cadet unit. And he still loves canoeing for pleasure. “In summer, I’ll go twice a day sometimes, or four to five times a week,” he says. “I’m based in Wokingham and most of the canoeing I do is on the beautiful River Thames. There are so many stretches along there.”

Chris, who’s a CSSC Volunteer Team Leader, says that it’s a great way of keeping fit. “Your whole body is involved. When you’re paddling along, you’re not just PODIUM ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2022 | cssc.co.uk/PODIUM

PHOTOGRAPHS: CHRIS EDGE/CSSC/VIKKI BARCLAY

WATER

mellow paddle down a flat river if you’d rather. “I like paddling with different people at different times,” says Chris. “There may be times when I’ll be with a friend and we’ll want to travel four or five miles at pace because it’s faster and we are going to benefit from an exercise point of view. Then there are other friends where we just go out in the summer, paddle to a pub, have a burger and a pint and come home.”

You can also be companionable yet socially distanced while you’re doing it, because you can be in a boat on your own while paddling along with other people. This can be a distinct advantage when there’s a pandemic going on. “People were sensible and went out in a group while keeping socially distanced,” says Chris. “I’ve got some really good memories from a really dark period of time. Even now I suspect we will see an increase in the sport as you can do it in a group but remain socially distanced.

You can be out in the open on the water with lots of space around you.”

Skiing without the slopes

Vikki Barclay, a Marketing Manager for CSSC, is a water-skiing enthusiast.

Vikki, who belongs to Marlow Water Ski Club, loves slalom skiing, with a course of six buoys. It’s a sport that you do in short, intense bursts – each go lasts just 15 to 20 seconds. And it’s almost impossible to master because as you improve it’s made harder,

for instance by changing the speed or the length of the ‘line’ connecting skier to boat.

“You have six runs and the first one is usually rubbish and you say to yourself you will do the next one better,” she explains. “They keep changing the goalposts. The challenge with it goes up, and when you get it right it’s exhilarating.”

And while it’s great exercise – Vikki says that at the start of the ski season she can’t straighten her arms the next day – it can be good for mental health too. “Mentally there’s nothing nicer than getting on a lake,” she says. “It’s just you and the ski. The people in the boat are miles ahead of you.

You completely switch off and you have to try to get round these buoys. It’s brilliant.

“You might have a big problem with something but you leave it at the gate, come and ski, talk to people about rubbish and pick your troubles up again on the way out, some of which may have evaporated as you navigated the buoys. There’s nothing better after a hard day at the office than going out for a ski.”

Water-skier Vikki Barclay

Civil Service Sailing Association (CSSA) The CSSA provides sailing facilities and opportunities through its member clubs around the UK. It offers training on dinghies and yachts from beginner to experienced levels.

All CSSC members are eligible to join the CSSA – there is no additional cost. There are opportunities to enjoy cruising and racing in dinghies, and coastal or offshore cruising and racing in yachts at a relaxed or more serious level.

The CSSC Inter Departmental Offshore Regatta 2022 (IDOR) will be from 23 to 27 May 2022. To find out more, contact idor@cs-sailing.org.uk.

CSSC Dinghy Sailing Championships 2022 will be hosted by Hooe Point SC Plymouth on 17-18 September 2022. To join, contact Andrew Selves, Rear Commodore (Dinghy), Civil Service Sailing Association at rcd.cssa@gmail.com.

The CSSA website has details of all the clubs (www.cs-sailing.org.uk).

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Volunteering at Kew Gardens’ Orchid Festival was an exclusive opportunity for all CSSC members

46

Feel the benefits of volunteering Volunteers are the beating heart of CSSC. They make everything we do possible and turn ideas into reality

We are passionate Our volunteers unite our members and inspire the whole public sector to explore, connect and realise their best selves within their member communities.

Whether working on site, behind the scenes or before the event, our volunteers are at the centre of everything we do.

Because volunteering is so intrinsically linked to improving health and wellbeing, we are passionate about providing as many opportunities to volunteer for our members as possible.

We have a wide variety of fascinating opportunities on offer: from the more traditional roles of secretary, treasurer or event marshal of a local group, right through to coaching within a club or a sporting section, virtual or face to face.

How the role has changed

Over the last few years, the nature of volunteering has changed significantly.

Some events have gone virtual, while others have brought in extra functions like marshalling or safety champions.

about providing as many opportunities to volunteer as possible CSSC has adapted too, offering volunteers all the necessary training; plus we now offer loads of flexible options to suit your tastes and needs.

If you find that the current roles on

offer aren’t quite what you’re looking for, then we can even build a role around you and your interests and skill set. Either way, our volunteers are at the heart of those decisions, and you choose how much time and energy you share.

Supported all the way

Volunteers with CSSC are supported by a central volunteer team and dedicated team leaders who are always on hand.

Every CSSC volunteer receives an induction and a designated CSSC volunteer email address. You’ll get the very best training on use of our online events package. And you’ll learn about reward and recognition initiatives as well

Don’t just take our word for it Clare Snape, Midlands

more. Volunteering with

giving something back to

Region Communications

CSSC is not run of the mill,

the community.”

Officer, Oral Historian

you can make it your own.”

Clive Arnold, East Kent

and Arts Development

Robert Gillies, East Kilbride

Area Association: “I love

Volunteer: “I’ve had the

Development Trust,

volunteering for CSSC. It is

opportunity to do things

Regional Pool Organiser:

enjoyable, good for your

nationally and I couldn’t

“I thoroughly enjoy my time

personal development and

have asked for anything

volunteering at CSSC and

very rewarding.”

PODIUM ISSUE 2 | MONTH 2022 | cssc.co.uk/PODIUM

VOLUNTEERING

CSSC members were gifted a rare opportunity to help set up the Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens

Everyone benefits

Make friends and make a difference with CSSC volunteering opportunities

as policies and procedures for running a great event. You’ll also receive an item of unique CSSC volunteer clothing as your uniform to show that you’re part of something special.

You’ll be fully supported by the CSSC communications and marketing team too. They’ll help promote your events and engage and enthuse members.

Also, as our way of saying thanks, we hold an awards presentation event every year, which recognises our volunteers for their hard work, dedication and commitment.

Our top 10 opportunities n Event/Activity Organiser n Sports Organiser (Regional or National) n Workplace Engagement Champion n Regional Officer n Area Association Officer n Social Media Officer n Communications Volunteer n Health and Wellbeing Champion n Virtual Event Organiser n CSSC Games Volunteer

Volunteering offers everyone loads of benefits! You’ll be able to meet new people and really make a difference to the lives of our members. You’ll spend quality time gaining confidence and self-esteem. Your physical and mental health, wellbeing and happiness will increase. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop existing knowledge and skills, plus grow new ones, all while enhancing your CV – and you’ll become part of something much bigger and more exciting than you ever thought possible.

What more could you need?

How about going on some amazing days out such as coach trips, sports events, theatre shows, wine tastings and many more? The only limit is your own imagination.

So, if you have some spare time and would like to learn new skills, make great friends and become part of a community, all while helping others to stay healthy and have fun, then explore our latest volunteer opportunities here: www.cssc.co.uk/volunteering.

PODIUM ISSUE 2 | MONTH 2022 | cssc.co.uk/PODIUM

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Virgin vegan

Have you thought about cutting out meat or using fewer animal products in your diet?

Whatever your reason for considering this choice, here is all you need to know about going vegan the easy way… By Sally J. Hall Veganism is nothing new. Anthropologists believe early humans existed mainly on plants. Devotees of various ancient religions, still current today, have followed plant-based diets as part of their beliefs. And in fact Roman gladiators were predominantly vegetarian.

It’s incredible that a diet that was ridiculed in the 1930s, seen as ‘hippy’ in the 1970s and as virtue signalling in the 1990s is now becoming not just popular, but mainstream. The Vegan Society defines the lifestyle as ‘a philosophy

and way of living which seeks to exclude – as far as is possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose’.

How do you go about becoming a vegan?

Or, if you’ve already flirted with veganism, do you feel confident enough about ensuring your diet contains all the nutrition you need for good health? With a few bits of research and some easy food swaps, you can get all the nutrients you need, and have a delicious diet too.

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IN THE KITCHEN

All roads lead to…

There are three main reasons why most people go vegan.

For health: it’s low in saturated fats, free of potential carcinogens and high in fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, grains and seeds. It can improve energy and weight loss and help guard against serious health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

For the animals: many are concerned about animal cruelty and conditions for farmed animals. Some vegans choose to shun animal exploitation such as animal testing or wearing wool.

For the planet: a vegan diet has less climatic impact than eating meat. It’s estimated that halving meat consumption could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 20 to 30 per cent per person. The production of just one chicken breast takes over 735 litres of water: more than four baths. It takes huge quantities of grain that could feed humans to feed one animal – some estimate 13 pounds of grain to produce just one pound of meat.

ILLUSTRATIONS: SHUTTERSTOCK; PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK

Take it slowly, one step at a time

Convinced? It might be tempting to suddenly switch to veganism but you may be setting yourself up for a fall. Start cutting out meat one day a week and try a new recipe that day or eat at a vegan restaurant. Swap all your breakfasts and lunches for vegan ones. Eventually, you’ll find meals you like to create, perhaps drawing up week-long vegan meal plans. Read up on vegan nutrition – there’s lots of information from The Vegan Society and magazines like Vegan Food & Living – and start to follow the social media accounts of vegan cooks.

Make some swaps

Next, think about the kind of meals you would usually choose and consider simple swaps. If you’re a meat-and-three-veg person, cutting out the meat will not leave you with a satisfying meal!

Try a meat replacement such as plant-based sausages or burgers. Love a curry? Tofu ‘butter chicken’ or lentil curry is delicious and you won’t notice the change. Chinese and Thai food is veg-heavy, so load up on a stir fry of mixed veg,

Famous vegans n Tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams n Film-maker James Cameron n Film star Liam Hemsworth n Actor Woody Harrelson, who has been vegan for years n Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, who invests in a vegan burger chain n TV presenter Fearne Cotton, who has a vegan cookbook out n Actor Alicia Silverstone, who posed naked saying she would “rather go naked than wear wool” n Think that muscle-bound people all eat meat?

Think again. Both Olympic US weightlifter Kendrick Farris and world record-holding strongman Patrik Baboumian are vegan.

and add a little tofu, tempeh or seitan. The trick with these meat replacements is to add flavour, so get marinating, saucing and spicing. You’ll find an abundance of vegan recipes on CSSC life’s nutrition pages.

Where’s the protein?

Protein’s the big buzzword in diets these days, but the answer to that question is ‘in lots of places you might not expect’. Did you know that broccoli contains protein? It’s easy to get it by incorporating a range of vegetables plus nuts, beans, seeds, tofu and tempeh, chickpeas, lentils and oats. The quality of that protein is better than in meat and helps avoid the growth hormones and routine antibiotics fed to farmed animals.

Be kind to yourself

Expect setbacks. Many who switch to a vegan diet report a period when they feel shaky – but this is because additives, meat hormones and impurities are leaving the body. Stick with it, drink plenty of water, and you’ll soon feel better. You’ll soon find you love your new diet so much you’ll be telling others.

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IN THE KITCHEN

Three great recipes

If you think you can’t eat as ‘normal’ on a vegan diet, think again!

There are loads of really delicious recipes on CSSC life, our health and wellbeing platform – as well as more vegetarian recipes if you’re not quite ready to go ‘full vegan’. Here are three great recipes to get you started that will leave you feeling full and satisfied, and they are vegan versions of classic favourites. sticking. Then add the stock powder

(serves 4-6)

and the nutritional yeast, keeping

A large cauliflower, cut into small

stirring and cooking. Add the milk,

250g plain flour

florets. Use the stalks and leaves too.

mustard and nutmeg, and season

2 tsp baking powder

1 onion, chopped

with freshly ground black pepper

100g brown muscovado sugar

2 cloves garlic, crushed or finely

to taste. Turn the heat up high and

Pinch of salt

chopped

stir continually – the flour will start

1 tsp mixed spice

2 tbsp olive oil

to disperse into the milk to make a

1 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tbsp plain flour

smooth sauce. When you are happy

Handful of golden sultanas

1 tbsp vegan stock powder (such as

that any lumps have dissolved pour

75ml rapeseed oil or other

Marigold Bouillon)

the sauce over the cauliflower and

flavourless oil

4 tbsp nutritional yeast

sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the

Handful of pecans

4-6 tbsp breadcrumbs

top. Bake in the oven at 200ºC for 30

Plant milk

750ml unsweetened oat or soya milk

minutes until the top is brown and it’s

1 tsp English mustard

bubbling. You can also use this sauce

Put all the ingredients into a large

Black pepper

over macaroni.

bowl and mix well until all have

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Toad in the Hole

Banana Bread

4 ripe mashed bananas

combined – add plant milk as needed to create a thick batter consistency.

(serves 4)

Place in an oiled loaf tin and bake at

pan and cover with water. Bring to

8 vegan sausages, such as

180ºC for 40 minutes or until a knife

the boil; then cook until just tender

Richmond Meat-Free

comes out clean when you insert it.

(don’t overcook it; it should still

1 sliced onion

have some bite) and then drain in

2 tbsp olive oil

a colander. Place in a large baking

230g plain white flour

tray. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a

4 tbsp rapeseed oil

heavy-based pan, and when it’s hot,

2 tsp baking powder

add the onion and sauté until soft

520ml oat milk

and just starting to turn brown. Add

2 tsp chopped dried rosemary

Place the cauliflower in a large

the garlic and cook for a few more minutes. Then add the flour to make

Place the sausages, onion and the

a roux, and cook in the oil for a few

olive oil in a baking tin and place in

minutes, making sure you stir to avoid

the oven at 200ºC for 10 minutes until brown on the outside. Mix the dry ingredients for the batter in a large bowl; then add the rapeseed oil and oat milk and whisk until smooth. Get as much air into the batter as you can to help it rise. Take the tin containing the sausages out of the oven and pour the batter over the sausages, moving them around to create even portions of sausage and batter. Bake for 30 minutes or until the batter is well risen and browned.

PODIUM ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2022 | cssc.co.uk/PODIUM

PHOTOGRAPHS: SALLY J. HALL/SHUTTERSTOCK

50

Cauliflower Cheese

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